Young adults targeted with new OLI videos
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) has released new videos to educate young adults about the dangers of loitering near trains and tracks.
Safety
CN wrapping up Oliver Bridge work
Canadian National is substantially complete with a rehabilitation project on a bridge linking its Minnesota and Wisconsin network.
TTC’s Byford to be next NYCT president
Andy Byford, who has forged a rail transit career on three continents, will join the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority as President of New York City Transit, the agency responsible for New York City subways, buses, paratransit services and the Staten Island Railway, effective in January 2018.
Parsons secures Metrolinx ETCCS tech services contract
Parsons has begun providing technical advisory services for Metrolinx’s Enhanced Train Control and Conventional Signaling (ETCCS) project, part of the Canadian agency’s 10-year GO Transit regional/commuter rail expansion program consisting of C$13.5 billion in capital projects and $7 billion in state-of-good-repair works.
Panel recommends two tunnels for BART extension
A peer review panel convened by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has recommended a twin-bore option for a BART extension into Silicon Valley.
UP updates PTC progress; plans to increase Minnesota track speed
Union Pacific (UP) gave an update on its progress toward implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) and also announced plans to increase track speeds in southwest Minnesota following completion of a project.
Metra kicks off Fox River bridge replacement project
A long-anticipated project to replace a 136-year-old bridge over the Fox River on Metra’s Milwaukee District West Line kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 17.
Utah becomes third state with FTA-certified SSO Program
Utah has become the third state to receive certification of its rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program, according to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Helmut Schroeder, 78, Railquip founder
Services were held for Helmut Schroeder, 78, founder of Railquip Inc., a supplier of rail and maintenance of way equipment, who died Oct. 30 following an illness.
Amtrak: We’re building our safety culture
Amtrak laid out a series of initiatives it has implemented and continues to implement since a derailment in April 2016 left two of the railroad’s employees dead and 39 others injured.
NTSB cites lack of safety culture in Chester, Pa., derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said ignored safety procedures and a fractured safety program are to blame for the April 3, 2016, derailment of Amtrak train 89 near Chester, Penn.
MBTA to fund PTC installation with TIFIA and RRIF loans
Two federal loans totaling $382 million will help the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) with its positive train control (PTC) project.
USDOT issues final rule to expand drug testing panel
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a final rule to expand its current drug testing panel to include a greater array of opioids among USDOT-regulated industries.
SEPTA working to combat seasonal slippery rail conditions
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is addressing “Slippery Rail” season as changes in the weather cause leaves to fall from trees and onto rail tracks.
PANYNJ proposed 2018 capital budget includes funds for Gateway Program, rail to air connections
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has proposed a $3.2 billion operating budget and a $3.4 billion capital budget for 2018.
ASLRRA marks fatality-free year for shortlines
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association marked a significant safety achievement as the industry’s 603 short line railroads operated for a full year fatality-free.
Transport Canada to propose fatigue management regs for rail industry
Transport Canada says it is taking steps to address fatigue management in the rail industry.
CP orders new track evaluation car from ENSCO Rail
Canadian Pacific (CP) awarded a contract to ENSCO Rail to provide inspection systems for a new track evaluation car.
Maryland Transit Administration to equip LRT lines with roadway worker protection system
Miller Ingenuity and Maryland Department of Transportation have entered into a collaborative agreement to install Miller Ingenuity’s ZoneGuard on Maryland Transit Administration’s Baltimore light-rail lines.
Transport Canada to incorporate rail condition data into future inspections
Transport Canada will incorporate rail surface condition data into its inspection cycles; following a recommendation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).